Both Leagues of Women Voters in Rock County, Wisconsin, have an interest in timely planning for parks, outdoor recreation and open spaces.  Conclusions reached in our joint study in 2001-2002 are hereby modified to reflect progress that has occurred that is in alignment with our position.  The heart of the position remains timely, planning, and adequate staffing.

The Beloit and Janesville Leagues of Women Voters support an updated five-year Rock County “Parks and Outdoor Recreation and Open Space Plan”.

• The plan should contain a clear vision and mission for parks, outdoor recreation, and open spaces in Rock County.
• The plan should include site development plans with an inventory of parks, clearly saying how county park improvement priorities are set and how the priorities are monitored.
• The plan should provide mechanisms which intentionally seek public participation at every step of setting and monitoring park priorities.
• The plan should meet national and state standards.
• The plan should identify sources of funding for implementation.
• The plan’s provisions should be achievable.
• The LWV endorses the use of outside consultants, when funds can be secured, to plan for park improvements in order to ease the county staff workload and to benefit from the expertise that consultants could provide.

 The Beloit and Janesville Leagues of Women Voters recommend that the county administrator and supervisors address more effective ways to oversee the administration of Rock County’s parks.

(Note:  The LWV finds the present county “Parks and Outdoor Recreation and Open Space Plan” planning process confusing when the roles of the Planning and Development Committee and the Public Works Department/Parks Division are unclear.)

• The LWV recommends the continuation of the additional staff position, serving under the parks director, to coordinate volunteer efforts in planning, developing, maintaining, promoting, and funding our county parks, recreational facilities, and open spaces.